Monday, February 22, 2010

Very excited to announce that the PS22 Chorus of 2010 will be performing with the international sensation CELTIC WOMAN this Saturday at Radio City Music Hall! The kids will be singing two songs with this incredibly talented group, and will "mark the first time Celtic Woman has shared their concert stage with a local choir in the US!" We're honored to be the ones to help break that proverbial ice!

You may recall the PS22 Chorus has indeed already shared a stage with Celtic Woman back in December at the National Tree Lighting Ceremony, but this time they'll be performing all together! Below is from the official press release:

Irish Music phenomenon, Celtic Woman, has launched their brand new “Songs From the Heart” concert tour in support of their recently released CD/DVD of the same name.

The 75 city journey will bring the group to Radio City Music Hall for two nights, February 26 and 27. To celebrate the Irish group’s triumphant return to New York City, Staten Island’s P.S. 22 Chorus will join Celtic Woman for two songs on Saturday, February 27th, marking the first time the group has shared their concert stage with a local choir in the U.S.

Under the direction of Gregg Breinberg, the Staten Island P.S. 22 Chorus became a YouTube viral sensation that New York Magazine called “the best-known elementary-school chorus on the planet.” The 5th graders are renowned for singing moving choral adaptations of classic and modern pop-songs. Despite the fact that PS22 is not a magnet school for the arts, the group has been prominently featured on national television and has been instrumental in inspiring at-risk students to succeed in all other areas of curriculum. The chorus has previously performed with Beyonce, Lady Gaga, and Stevie Nicks.

Celtic Woman has been winning over audiences of all ages and captivating millions with inspiring songs that move seamlessly between Irish classics, contemporary covers and original compositions. In just five short years, the group has released 5 CDs and 5 DVDS totaling more than 4 million in sales and performed for more than a million people. Their newest CD and DVD Songs From the Heart, (Manhattan Records) continues to ride high having reached #9 on Billboard Top 200 and #1 Billboard World Music Chart. Musical director David Downes beautifully captures the pure essence of Celtic Woman showcasing the celestial sounds of vocalists Lisa Kelly, Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary and Alex Sharpe along with the dynamic inventiveness of Celtic Violinist Máiréad Nesbitt.

As a testament to the group’s ability to cross musical and cultural boundaries, the group recently performed at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in Washington D.C and ABC’s Dancing With The Stars singing for millions of viewers while their PBS TV specials have dominated the broadcast airwaves.

6 comments:

Anonymous
said...

wow thats awsome i cant wait and as im practicing the songs i like them better and better as they sing and reading about them it seems that they deserve what they got and keep rocking on celtic woman=)!

Now that's some big news! Congratulations for yet another gem in your collection. I know it'll be a phantastic collaboration. I only hope that there'll be some decent footage of the event for us to enjoy.

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

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IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol